In July EDCI celebrated 10 years of helping small businesses and entrepreneurs thrive. The statewide SBA lender stared in Columbus in 2004 before expanding to Cleveland in July of 2012 and Toledo in May 2013. During their 10 years of success, ECDI Columbus had deployed over $16 million in loans, helped over 2,000 business owners and has been instrumental in creating over 4,000 sustainable jobs. Additions like the Food Fort and the Women’s Business Center have further expanded ECDI’s helping hand.

Small Business Administration Recognizes ECDI’s Women’s Business Center

ECDI’s Women’s Business Center received the 2014 Ohio and Regional Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award from the SBA. Started in January of 2013, the WBC has already helped start 22 new women-owned businesses, aided in the expansion of 18 others, and invested over $500,000 in women building businesses. In addition, over 200 female entrepreneurs have taken advantage of business classes, funding opportunities and networking events.

Response to the WBC has been overwhelming with the organization already outgrowing its original space. A relocation to ECDI’s headquarters has allowed for the addition of a state-of-the-art learning lab, larger co-working space and conference rooms.

WBC Director Ellen Harvey accepted the award saying, “So many people have been instrumental in making the WBC successful. It is the dedication of numerous ECDI staff, past and present, volunteers and interns who have worked diligently to develop the resources needed to provide opportunities to access capital, training to obtain certifications, instructions on building wealth, and the assistance needed to implement their business idea.”

Susan is the lead staff writer for TheMetropreneur.com and also completes assignments as a freelance writer & editor. She loves writing about her city - and learning a thing or two from her clients along the way.
Susan holds a degree in Communication with a minor in Professional Writing from The Ohio State University. You can find her exploring Grandview, drinking way too much coffee, running, spending time with friends and aiming to become a Columbus foodie.

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